Eight McMaster researchers named Canada Research Chairs

Eight McMaster University researchers from three faculties have been named Canada Research Chairs as part of a national strategy to attract and retain a diverse cadre of world-class researchers.

Five of the researchers are newly named CRCs and three have had their chairs renewed.

The awards speak to the exceptional quality and far-reaching impact of the researchers’ work, says Andy Knights, McMaster’s Acting Vice-President, Research.

“Congratulations to McMaster’s new and renewed Canada Research Chairs,” Knights says.

“The CRC program enables our researchers to continue advancing discoveries that transform lives worldwide and strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness, while training the next generation of highly skilled scholars and innovators.”

McMaster’s new CRCs are: 

Deborah Sloboda | Canada Research Chair in Early Origins of Health and Disease (Tier 1) 

Slodoba, a professor of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, studies the early life origins of health and disease, and develops community-based knowledge transfer programs to advocate for positive health behaviours before and after conception. She aims to uncover the connections between early life adversity and postnatal disease risk to inform strategic interventions and changes in health policy.  

Andrew Costa | Canada Research Chair in Integrated Care for Seniors (Tier 2) 

Costa is an associate professor in the department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact. His research program promotes evidence-based care and policy for seniors. Using health information and technology, Costa will investigate the burden of infectious diseases in long-term care environments, with the goal of improving older adults’ health and well-being. 

Lindsay Kalan | Canada Research Chair in Skin Microbiome and Infectious Disease (Tier 2) 

Kalan, an associate professor of Biochemistry and Biomedical sciences, studies the body’s primary environmental barrier: the skin. Her research program aims to understand how microbial communities colonize and assemble in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), leading to impaired wound healing. The results of her work will aid in the development of much-needed prognostic tools to improve patient outcomes.  

Gitanjali Kolhatkar | Canada Research Chair in Bioinspired Smart Materials (Tier 2) 

Kolhatkar is an assistant professor in the department of Engineering Physics. Her research program focuses on the in-depth understanding and development of neuromorphic materials, which mimic the human brain’s ability to learn and perform pattern recognition. These smart materials can be used in applications such as highly efficient artificial synapses, smart tactile sensors and energy harvesting devices. 

Meredith Vanstone | Canada Research Chair in Ethical Complexity in Primary Care (Tier 2) 

Vanstone is an associate professor in the department of Family Medicine. Her research program aims to help patients, clinicians and policy makers navigate the provision of care in areas where evidence doesn’t exist, is ambiguous, or is not the main decision determinant. She uses health policy and health–professional education strategies to translate this knowledge into health system improvement. 

Researchers who have had their CRCs renewed are:

Paul Ayers from the Faculty of Science | Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry (Tier 1).

P.J. Devereaux from the Faculty of Health Sciences | Canada Research Chair in Perioperative Care (Tier 1).

Christine Wilson from the Faculty of Science | Canada Research Chair in Extragalactic Star Formation (Tier 1).

About Canada Research Chairs

Tier 1 Chairs, which are held for seven years and renewable once, are for outstanding researchers who are considered world leaders in their fields. For each Tier 1 Chair, McMaster receives $200,000 annually for seven years.

Tier 2 Chairs, which are held for five years and are renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers who have the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, McMaster receives $100,000 annually for five years, with an additional $20,000 annual research stipend for first-term Tier 2 Chairs.